The race to lead West Vancouver was officially joined last week as Coun. Christine Cassidy announced her intention to run for mayor.
While fellow challenger Coun. Mary-Ann Booth has described West Vancouver as being caught in a housing crisis, Cassidy stated that she objects to the term.
By using an emotional word like crisis, council may feel compelled to over-correct, Cassidy warned.
“I do not want us to over-build and to build a product that is not in keeping with the character of West Vancouver,” she said. “I want any development to reflect the small town vibe, the seaside community.”
Cassidy also said she would object to any development above an elevation of 1,200 feet, which eliminates approximately 72 per cent of the Upper Lands.
“We need to be extremely respectful of our environment,” she said.
The notion that she should run for mayor began percolating while council went through an official community plan process that culminated in what Cassidy called: a generic “mom and apple pie” OCP document.
The OCP’s difficulty, Cassidy explained, will be in implementing local area plans that may not coincide with the wishes of individual neighbourhoods.
“While we continue to engage our citizens, I don’t actually think that we hear what they are saying.”
Discussing the differences between herself and Booth, Cassidy noted her opposition to West Vancouver’s partnership with Park Royal on the Wardance Bridge project as well as her decision to cast the only vote against the sale of the Brissenden lands.
“I think I am far more independent in my thinking,” she said.
In order to lead effectively, Cassidy suggested she will need allies on council.
“One independent voice is a hand waving in the air,” she said.
And while Booth suggested that West Vancouver was being hollowed out as high housing prices put the municipality out of reach for a number of professionals, Cassidy said she didn’t agree with the term “hollowing out of our community.”
While there are challenges, Cassidy said she’s “perfectly confident” those issues can be resolved with common sense leadership.
Cassidy said she would be strictly opposed to allowing new or expanded buildings along the Ambleside waterfront.
“I see no reason to waste taxpayers’ dollars on rebuilding the sailing club or taking down the Silk Purse.”
Instead, Cassidy said she would support rebuilding the concession stand at Ambleside Park, which could become a multi-use building with a restaurant on top.
Mayor Michael Smith has not announced his plans to run – or not – in the Oct. 20 election.
